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June 3, 2009

Dear FOS11 Members,

Families of September 11 was formed after the devastating attacks brought upon our country in 2001. We are all too aware that this attack occurred through the manipulation of our aviation security defenses. Accordingly, the organization has worked tirelessly to make sure the lessons of that terrible day are not lost, and that we are doing all we can to ensure commercial aviation is as secure as possible.

It has come to our attention that there is a provision in the current version of HR 2200, Section 201 that changes the deadline for the screening of inbound air cargo. Having supported the 9/11 Commission Recommendation Act of 2007, and its August 2010 deadline to screen 100% of commercial air cargo, we are troubled to see Congress pushing to extend the amount of time passengers are forced to fly while sitting on top of cargo that has not been screened for explosives.

For years after Pan Am 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, calls to screen checked bags for explosives went unheeded. That changed after nearly 3,000 people were murdered almost eight years ago, when it became impossible to underestimate the threat and the consequences of not taking action to shore up aviation security. There is no time to waste in continuing this work—two more years is simply too long to wait.

Our hope is that Congress will understand the need to push forward in aviation security, not backwards. We need to supply TSA with the resources to do their job, not delay their important work. As we know all too well, the stakes, and the number of lives at risk, are too high not to.